Senior Process Technologist

Zest Food Jobs; West of England; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Zest Recruitment is partnering with a leading plant-based and dairy manufacturer to appoint a Senior Process Development Technologist. The successful candidate will drive NPD process development from bench to full-scale plant trials, ensuring right-first-time results in quality, yield and cost while adhering to HACCP controls.

You will manage end-to-end trials, coordinate sign-off with Operations and Technical, and present findings through trial and launch reports.

Qualifications

• Food-related qualification and at least 3 years' experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• HACCP L2/3 qualified is advantageous.
• Fully computer literate with good Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the process development stage across bench, pilot and main plant trials with hands-on delivery.
• Own trials end to end: documentation, pre-trial and launch meetings, and sign-off with Operations and Technical.
• Coordinate trial and first-production activities and ensure accurate processing information on blend sheets.
• Build relationships with customers and act as NPD lead for customer attendance at factory trials.
• Generate trial and launch reports for internal and customer sharing, feeding feedback into final documentation and QAS.
• Support the wider NPD team with day-to-day tasks.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Excel

Education

Food-related qualification

Tools

Excel

Job description

Zest Recruitment is delighted to be partnering with an established manufacturer in the plant-based and dairy space to recruit a Senior Process Development Technologist. This is a brilliant opportunity for a hands-on NPD professional who thrives on turning concepts into successful, efficient factory processes and who enjoys being at the heart of the action.

Reporting to the NPD Manager, you'll lead the process development stage of new product development, taking concept recipes and process methodology through bench, pilot and full plant trials. You'll aim to deliver "right first time" across quality, yield and cost, working in line with site HACCP controls.

The role:

• Lead all aspects of the NPD process stage — managing and supporting development through bench, pilot and main plant trials, with hands-on delivery
• Own trials end to end: setting up documentation, hosting pre-trial and launch meetings, and coordinating sign-off with Operations and Technical
• Take joint responsibility for trial and first-production
• Ensure blend sheets carry accurate allergen, PPE, spec and processing information to drive right-first-time delivery
• Build strong relationships with customers and act as the NPD lead for customer attendance at factory trials
• Generate trial and launch reports for internal and customer sharing, feeding feedback into final documentation and QAS
• Support the wider NPD team with day-to-day tasks

About you:

• Food-related qualification and at least 3 years' experience in a food manufacturing environment
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritise and work to tight deadlines
• HACCP L2/3 qualified legal labelling knowledge advantageous
• Comprehensive understanding of plant, processes and products, with a logical, methodical approach
• Confident communicator who works well cross-functionally with Technical, Operations and Quality
• Fully computer literate with good Excel skills
• Self-motivated, commercially aware and flexible on customer visits and cover

This is a fantastic role for someone ready to take real ownership of process development within a collaborative, fast-moving team in a growing category.